Q.     Is the name of the church significant?

A.      Yes, Jesus told us “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20) and the Apostle Paul adds “whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17).  We believe that a church named after the man belongs to that man, but that a church named after Jesus belongs to Him, as long as it is founded on His precepts. 

Q.     What is a “restoration” Christian church?

A.      We believe that the church that Jesus established and His Apostles maintained in the New Testament began to slowly “fall away” from His teachings and doctrine.  This falling away, or “apostasy” eventually became so complete, that it was beyond man’s ability to reform the church to its original purity and purpose.  Since the apostasy took place (as evidenced by church and secular history known as the “dark ages”) there was a need for the authority to be restored.  We believe this restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ took place in the early nineteenth century and was directly linked to the translation of The Book of Mormon. 

Q.     What are the scriptures that the church uses?

A.      The Church of Jesus Christ accepts the Bible (King James Version) and the Book of Mormon as divinely inspired Holy Scriptures.  In preparing the answers to these questions, we used only passages from the Bible to support our responses.  Book of Mormon passages could have been quoted as well, but we chose not to use them as people who read this probably do not presently believe in the Book of Mormon.  It is beyond the scope of this website to fully explain why we accept the Book of Mormon.  Briefly, it is a record of the descendants of Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Israel, and chronicles their history in the land of America.  Ezekiel made reference to the Bible (stick of Judah) and Book of Mormon (stick of Joseph), advising to “join them one to another into one stick, and they shall become one in thine hand" (Ezek. 37:16-17).  The original plates containing the text of the book were found in the ground, fulfilling David’s prophecy, “Truth shall spring out of the earth” (Psalms 85:11).  If you are interested in hearing more about our belief in the Book of Mormon, please let us know and we will be happy to explain it in more detail.

Q.     If you believe in the Book of Mormon, doesn’t that make you a Mormon?

A.      No.  By analogy, belief in the Old Testament does not make you a Jew, just as belief in the Bible does not necessarily make you a Catholic.  The Church of Jesus Christ has no connection whatsoever with the Mormon church and does not defend its actions in any way.  We do wish to point out that the activities for which the Mormons are criticized (e.g., multiple wives), are strictly prohibited by the Book of Mormon.  We ask that any judgments of the Mormon church be put aside when evaluating the Book of Mormon.

Q.     Does the ministry of the Church get paid?

A.      The ministry, or “elders”, are not paid any money for their work in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Each holds a regular job to make a living for himself and his family.  Jesus said, “freely ye have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8).  Paid ministry is not at all consistent with our belief that truth must be brought forth.  Paul faced this situation with the Corinthians, “Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?  I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.  And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man” (II Cor. 11:7-9).

Q.     How do I decide if The Church of Jesus Christ is the right church for me?

A.      We invite you to go to God in prayer and ask Him to direct you in regard to decisions about the Church.  James said, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).  Many of our members came to The Church of Jesus Christ in this way.  God will not mislead you; put your trust in Him.

Q.     How does someone become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ?

A.      A person becomes a member of The Church of Jesus Christ by obeying the words of Jesus, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God” (John 3:5).  Anyone desiring to join the Church is baptized (born of water), after which the elders lay hands on him or her for reception of the Holy Ghost (born of the Spirit).

Q.     How is baptism performed?

A.      Members of The Church of Jesus Christ are baptized in the same way Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist; they are completely immersed in an open, free flowing, body of water.  John the Baptist said, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance” (Matt. 3:11).  “And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto Him” (Matt. 3:16).  See also (Acts 9:26-39).

Q.     How can I get more information about The Church of Jesus Christ?

('Just As I Am')